Star Alliance member Shenzhen Airlines is preparing to jet off to Melbourne as the southern hemisphere summer heats up.
Shenzhen Airlines Airbus A3303-300 – N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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This will be the first Australian destination for Shenzhen Airlines. When the service commences, it will be Melbourne Airport’s 40th international carrier and the tenth Chinese airline.
Shenzhen Airlines plans to commence services from 22nd December from Shenzhen, 23rd December from Melbourne, with services flying three times a week with an Airbus A330-300 between Shenzhen and Melbourne.
The airline operates its Airbus A330-300 in a three-class configuration, 18 Business Class seats (in a 2-2-2 layout), 24 Premium Class seats (in a 2-4-2 layout, with a 35″ seat pitch) and 267 Economy Class seats (in a 2-4-2 configuration with 31″ seat pitch).
Shenzhen Airlines has a fleet of more than 230 aircraft flying nearly 40 million passengers a year with a network spanning more than 90 domestic and international destinations across China and to Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom and beyond.
In Quotes
Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said:
“Shenzhen Airlines’ decision to choose Melbourne as its first Australian destination reinforces Melbourne Airport’s position as Australia’s 24/7 international gateway,”
“This announcement is a significant milestone in Melbourne Airport’s international growth story as we continue to bring competition and choice into the market for our passengers.
“Shenzhen is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city for travellers to explore, but it’s also a global hub for tech, electronics, and manufacturing that Victorian producers will now have direct access to.
“We’re grateful for the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria’s support in enhancing Victoria’s global network.
Shenzhen Airlines Vice President Na Na added:
“The new Shenzhen-Melbourne direct route marks a pivotal milestone in Shenzhen Airlines’ global strategy, serving as a vital air bridge deepening ties between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Victoria,’ she said.
“Our close collaboration with Melbourne Airport will efficiently facilitate two-way flows of trade, education, and cultural exchanges, delivering a more convenient and comfortable direct service for tens of thousands of passengers.”
Building New Links
With Shenzhen Airlines striking further West and South, building new links and its international network, the airline is now planning to add Australia and Melbourne to its network, providing further links for both its own and Star Alliance passengers.
It should provide passenger connectivity, as well as cargo, between the Greater Bay Area and Australia. With some of the time-sensitive and high-value components, it should be a commercially valuable route.
However, for premium passengers, the seating layout might not be what is expected, with a 2-2-2 business class layout…
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